Erika Girardi Of "The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills" Talks Season 10 Of The Hit Bravo Show
In the 10th season of Bravo's "The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills," while the ladies attempt to manage the challenges of work-life balance and continue to travel the globe in style, they are forced to navigate ever-changing dynamics within the group. While new friendships are formed and old bonds are strengthened, some relationships are left to crumble. BUILD hosted housewife Erika Girardi to discuss the new season.
Video Transcript
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BRITTANY JONES-COOPER: Hey, everybody. Welcome back to "BUILD at Home." I'm your host, Brittany Jones-Cooper. And today I'm going to be catching up with Erika Girardi from "The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills."
But before we chat with Erika, I want to remind you guys to visit nokidhungry.org. As of today, 641 million school meals have been missed due to COVID-19 school cancellations, and there's a lot of kids who depend on that food every day. So if you're looking for a way to help, if you want to donate, visit nokidhungry.org.
And now I want to switch gears because I am so excited to chat with you about the upcoming season of "Real Housewives." But first I just want to check in with you. So how have the last couple of weeks been?
ERIKA GIRARDI: They've been remarkably quiet. Everybody's healthy and safe here, so thank you, God, for that. But, you know, I was saying to someone that, you know, I shot "Housewives," and then I went to do Broadway, and then it just kind of all stopped. So it's been quiet and I've got a lot of time on my hands.
BRITTANY JONES-COOPER: What have you been doing with that time?
ERIKA GIRARDI: You know, I would love to say that I've been writing the most epic stuff or, you know, using it in my best, highest use, and I haven't. I mean, I've watched-- ah-- "Tiger King" and basically eaten everything I can get my hands on. I think I'm doing, you know, what everybody else is doing.
BRITTANY JONES-COOPER: But you're so busy. I mean, so many of us are so busy, and I personally enjoyed this time, you know, just to kind of be forced to stop and think and kind of take the time for myself. It's been kind of nice.
ERIKA GIRARDI: Well, I mean, I agree with you. And, you know, the weather has never been more beautiful here in Los Angeles, and it's just-- it is a nice pause for everyone. I mean, I wish it were under better circumstances, but it is a nice pause for everybody. Just kind of take note of their entire life and what are we doing, you know? What's happening?
BRITTANY JONES-COOPER: Exactly. And you mentioned snacking. I've seen some of the food you liked to snack on in the show. What have you been eating?
ERIKA GIRARDI: Well, let's see. Wheat Thins, popcorn, peanut-butter cups, and-- those are like the, you know, bad stuff.
BRITTANY JONES-COOPER: Only the good stuff. Peanut-butter cups are good stuff.
ERIKA GIRARDI: I know. But, you know, too many peanut-cups are a bad thing.
BRITTANY JONES-COOPER: Whatever. Not now. Anything goes during this time.
ERIKA GIRARDI: I don't know. I mean, I got so tiny on Broadway. I was so thin, and I was just, like, so excited to continue, like, my fitness. You know, and now it's like boop. And I'll be honest with you. I don't want to work out at home. That's the truth. I don't want to do home workouts. I just don't.
BRITTANY JONES-COOPER: I've been doing some really low-intensity yoga that I'm counting as a workout.
ERIKA GIRARDI: Yes. Well, hey, I mean, you know what? It's good that you stretch out. I haven't even done that.
BRITTANY JONES-COOPER: Ah well. Like you mentioned, you were playing Roxie Hart in "Chicago." And tell me just about wrapping that up because you did have to wrap up a few weeks early because of the COVID-19. So just how has it been wrapping that up and having to say goodbye a little soon?
ERIKA GIRARDI: Well, I mean, obviously I would have loved to have finished my run. And I miss "Chicago," and I made really nice friends there. The "Chicago" family is a lovely family. And so it was, you know, kind of sad to just leave it so unfinished in a way. But, you know, I can't say enough about my time on Broadway. It was a really special treat for me.
BRITTANY JONES-COOPER: Was it a dream come true?
ERIKA GIRARDI: I mean, I think it's every performer's dream come true. You know, and it certainly is-- there's nothing like standing on that stage. You're on Broadway, and there's really nothing that can compare to that.
BRITTANY JONES-COOPER: Yeah, it's so amazing. And in the premiere of "The Real Housewives," which I got to check out the first episode--
ERIKA GIRARDI: Yeah, me too.
BRITTANY JONES-COOPER: They sent me a screener.
ERIKA GIRARDI: OK. Did you like it?
BRITTANY JONES-COOPER: I loved it, and I wanted to start first with you taking the girls back to some of your old stomping grounds. You used to be a dancer. You took them back to where you used to dance. Why was it important for them to show you-- for you to show them that part of your life? And then also, I just loved the trajectory of you're on Broadway and seeing kind of where you started. So why was it important to show just your history in that way?
ERIKA GIRARDI: Well, I moved to New York when I was 18 years old in 1989 right out of high school from Atlanta, my hometown. I needed a job right away, and this, you know, friend of mine who was older, she was go-going in Jersey, and I ended up doing it too.
And so I think that it's one of those things-- I've written about it in my book. And, you know, as a group of friends, you're always revealing yourself a little bit more and more. This was something that I had done. We were in New York, and let's take the girls and show them, you know, kind of how far I've come.
And, you know, you go from being a teenager to, you know, being on Broadway. [INAUDIBLE] eight years old. I mean, it's a bizarre story, but it's mine.
BRITTANY JONES-COOPER: It's super cool. And were there any outtakes with the girls in Jersey? What didn't we see on camera?
ERIKA GIRARDI: I mean, just more of the same and more of the conversation. You know, the one thing I have to say is that the group is very loving and supportive. I mean, we're not-- you know, nobody was, you know, judgey. I think that, you know, when Lisa says, you know, I couldn't see my daughter doing this is, you know, I don't think anybody can see their daughter doing it, you know? But it's just one of those things that happened.
BRITTANY JONES-COOPER: And I love your response to that. I won't give it away, but it is just very honest dialogue that I really appreciated. And that's sort of the vibe I'm getting from this season. Where we left you guys during the reunion, it seemed like the group as it remained was in good standing.
ERIKA GIRARDI: Well, the group is still in good standing.
BRITTANY JONES-COOPER: Well, that was my question. Now that, you know, we're starting this second-- or this 10th season, what is the vibe like?
ERIKA GIRARDI: Well, I think we are a tight-knit group. I mean, obviously, you know, there's one of us, Denise, that's got some conflict, but I think that all things can be repaired. I don't think that, you know, our conflict-- our independent conflicts with Denise are something that can't be fixed. It's really up to her and how she feels.
BRITTANY JONES-COOPER: Yeah. And because you guys wrapped taping so long ago, is it interesting-- I mean, just the process of we're just seeing it now, but all of this played out months ago, so you guys have to relive it week by week. What is that like for you?
ERIKA GIRARDI: Well, it's interesting because, you know, a lot of times-- I mean, you forget small things and parts of stories and, oh yeah, that's right. We went to-- you know, we went on this trip, and that's right, we had dinner there.
So, yeah, it is-- it can be a bit of a struggle when you're asked to recall certain things. You know, but wait, I haven't-- I haven't seen it yet, so let me-- which part are we talking about?
BRITTANY JONES-COOPER: It's fun for us though because I remember seeing all the photos from Fashion Week and you guys all walking in Kyle's show. And then, you know, tomorrow we'll get to see all of that play out, which is really fun and cool.
ERIKA GIRARDI: What a great moment for Kyle. I mean, she had a beautiful show for Fashion Week. We were all, you know, lucky enough to walk in the show and have a good time. I mean, you know, we're not models, but, you know, we're there. And it was cool of her to stick us in her show, and she's got great designs. So it was a--
BRITTANY JONES-COOPER: Beautiful.
ERIKA GIRARDI: --fun thing for us.
BRITTANY JONES-COOPER: Yeah. Were there any-- again, anything happening behind the scenes that didn't make the episode with Fashion Week?
ERIKA GIRARDI: No, Fashion Week was pretty smooth. Fashion Week [INAUDIBLE]. That's the beginning. So the beginning is always-- you know, unless you're coming off some massive, you know, rift in the group, which we didn't have. So, you know, it was a lot of fun in New York.
BRITTANY JONES-COOPER: Yeah. And in New York we got to be introduced to the new cast member, Garcelle. For whatever reason, I wanted you two to bond. I felt, like, very invested in you guys--
ERIKA GIRARDI: Oh good.
BRITTANY JONES-COOPER: --getting along. I don't know why. And then watching you guys meet and greet for the first time, I felt like the energy was good. So what was your experience like with Garcelle this season?
ERIKA GIRARDI: I like Garcelle. I think she's very straightforward. She has a great story to tell. She's been in the business a long time as a working actress, a model first. I think she's going to make a great Housewife.
BRITTANY JONES-COOPER: Yeah. No tea? No--
ERIKA GIRARDI: No. I mean, no. She does a beautiful job. I mean, you know, but listen, she's going to-- you know, you're going to see different layers of her too. You know, so based on what we've seen from the beginning, it's great.
BRITTANY JONES-COOPER: OK. That was nice. You gave us a lot to look forward to. No spoilers there.
ERIKA GIRARDI: No.
BRITTANY JONES-COOPER: No spoilers. And then, of course, we have Teddi who reveals her pregnancy, which we're all aware of the baby. But you--
ERIKA GIRARDI: I was so shocked.
BRITTANY JONES-COOPER: --your reaction. Yes, you were so shocked. Why was that so emotional for you?
ERIKA GIRARDI: Well, I don't know, and that's why I [INAUDIBLE]. I think because I knew how hard it-- you know, Teddi had shared how hard it was for her to become pregnant with the first two, and this baby, you know, I think was just like a little magical gift. And so I was kind of blown away by the whole thing, and I think that, you know, it just kind of touched me. I was really excited for her.
BRITTANY JONES-COOPER: Yeah. It was very sweet, and for Kyle to share her Fashion Week moment with Teddi too-- you could see that this group is really bonded, and you don't always see that in this franchise, you know?
ERIKA GIRARDI: Yeah. No, I mean, I think that we have a really great group of women. And I think that, you know, yes, we have some conflicting, and yes-- but we're going to get past it.
BRITTANY JONES-COOPER: Yeah.
ERIKA GIRARDI: You know, hey, that shit happened.
BRITTANY JONES-COOPER: You mentioned-- you mentioned the conflict, and yeah, Denise and Brandi are definitely bringing it this season. This whole storyline is so wild. Did it shock you even?
ERIKA GIRARDI: Yeah. Yes it did because it came out of nowhere for me. Like I-- you know, listen, we all have our own individual thing with each other. And then the reason that the group is involved in the Brandi-Denise thing is because Denise didn't just allegedly have this relationship with Brandi. She also said things about us individually to Brandi. So, you know, that's why we're involved.
Yeah, I was shocked. It came out of nowhere for me. I wasn't expecting that.
BRITTANY JONES-COOPER: Definitely.
ERIKA GIRARDI: Yeah. I was like, really? Oh. Damn. OK.
BRITTANY JONES-COOPER: And how do you decide how much to say or get involved?
ERIKA GIRARDI: I like to get involved where it pertains to me. Obviously I have to give my opinion. That's my job and, you know, call it how I see it. I think both women will get a chance to tell their side of the story. I know what I saw, and that's why I have the opinion that I have.
BRITTANY JONES-COOPER: Got you. And any thoughts about Lisa Vanderpump this season? Will she ever make an appearance? Is there any talk of her, or is that chapter just closed?
ERIKA GIRARDI: Closed.
BRITTANY JONES-COOPER: Just done.
ERIKA GIRARDI: Yeah. We're living in the [INAUDIBLE].
BRITTANY JONES-COOPER: Do you think the cast is better for that?
ERIKA GIRARDI: I think it's a different energy. I think that, you know-- you saw the episode. I think it looks completely different and fast and all the more better.
BRITTANY JONES-COOPER: I do. You know, we all have our own loyalties in the franchise. I won't put in my two cents, but I think it's-- I do enjoy the vibe now. [INAUDIBLE]
ERIKA GIRARDI: Yeah, I enjoy the vibe. I think it's interesting.
BRITTANY JONES-COOPER: Yeah.
ERIKA GIRARDI: I think the audience will enjoy it.
BRITTANY JONES-COOPER: I think so too. So we've got the Denise and Brandi drama. We've got all that happening. But what else can we look forward to this season? Are there big trips, other big kind of things we can kind of tease to?
ERIKA GIRARDI: We are going to Rome, and it is a beautiful, and it is everything that these trips should be. It's everything that "Beverly Hills" should be. It's glamorous. It's fun. It's conflict ridden. It's tears. It's laughs. It's a good time. It's fashion. It's food. I mean, you know, Dorit used to live in Italy, so she speaks fluent Italian. I mean, it's cool shit, you know? We're having a good time.
BRITTANY JONES-COOPER: What doesn't Dorit know how to do, man? She's like--
ERIKA GIRARDI: She's very resourceful. She's full-- I mean, she-- you know, I love Dorit. She's a good time. The thing about Dorit is she loves to laugh. She's a very good girl at heart, and she's-- you know, Dorit will text me. She's like, I'm so proud of you. I mean, just she's a genuine person. I've enjoyed getting to know Dorit. I've enjoyed getting to know all the ladies, actually.
Hey, listen. Now I think-- I don't have sisters, but I imagine that we, you know, fight a little bit like sisters. So whatever. It's all good.
BRITTANY JONES-COOPER: But that you've shared on this show, that this is a group of women that you are really opening up to, and that's a decision you're making because it's not something you really wanted to mess with in the past is, like, being in a group of women like this, you know? So it must be telling just the dynamic and the women.
ERIKA GIRARDI: Yeah. I like these-- I like these women. I think that they are honest and true with their feelings and how they feel, and they-- you know, we all really care about each other.
BRITTANY JONES-COOPER: Absolutely. And so before we go, I have to ask, Erica Jane, you know, what's going on with her?
ERIKA GIRARDI: Erica Jane had all these plans, man, and that I used to come home from Broadway like woo and then go do some other stuff. And then the world said no, I don't think so. So, you know, hey, I'm riding out the quarantine like everyone else. And when we reemerge, I will be more than excited to get back to work. That is, like-- yeah. I'm really looking forward to getting up every day and having somewhere to go and something to do.
BRITTANY JONES-COOPER: Girl, you and me both.
ERIKA GIRARDI: Are you stir crazy?
BRITTANY JONES-COOPER: You know, I've been-- I've been chilling, but like day 32 was yesterday, and it kind started getting to me a little bit to me.
ERIKA GIRARDI: Yeah, it starts to get on you. How much longer are you guys in, for another month?
BRITTANY JONES-COOPER: Yeah, I mean, I'm working from home, so that's, you know, a blessing, and I'll be here as long as they tell me to be here. My family's good. Everybody's healthy. I've got no complaint.
ERIKA GIRARDI: Good.
BRITTANY JONES-COOPER: But I do walk really slowly when I go outside just to soak in the time.
ERIKA GIRARDI: Yeah, it's true. I mean, you know, yeah. You just, like, soak in the sun and just breathe in the air. I mean, it's-- and it's really pretty here in LA right now. It's so [INAUDIBLE] springtime, so.
BRITTANY JONES-COOPER: Yeah. We have a lot to be thankful for. We just have to ride this out, right? At least we're doing it together.
ERIKA GIRARDI: We have a lot to be thankful for.
BRITTANY JONES-COOPER: And we have a lot to keep us entertained because--
ERIKA GIRARDI: Yes
BRITTANY JONES-COOPER: --"The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills"--
ERIKA GIRARDI: Enjoy the season. You're going to love it. I think that everybody is going to really have a good time.
BRITTANY JONES-COOPER: Oh, I'm telling you, I watched the first episode. And, you know, screeners, they only give me one. And I was, like, clicking Next. Like, I wanted more. I cannot wait. Thank you for bringing entertainment to us every week.
ERIKA GIRARDI: Hey, listen, if we can divert some of this insane shit that's happening, good.
BRITTANY JONES-COOPER: Thank you. Stay safe. Stay inside. Next time I interview you, I hope it'll be in person.
ERIKA GIRARDI: Yes. Nice to meet you. Go [INAUDIBLE].
BRITTANY JONES-COOPER: Me too.
ERIKA GIRARDI: [INAUDIBLE] Good luck, sweetheart.
BRITTANY JONES-COOPER: Bye, Erika.
ERIKA GIRARDI: Bye.
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